Garden Vegetable Dip

 Great on crackers or for a veggie dip.  Bagel chips also go really well with this.

GARDEN VEGETABLE DIP

Ingredients:

*1 (8 ounce) packages of cream cheese or make your own, softened

*1 (8 ounce) container of mascarpone cheese or make your own

*1/2 cup finely shredded carrots

*1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped very small

*1/2 cup green onions (including the greens), sliced very small

*1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped fine (or 1 tablespoon dried)

*2 tablespoons fresh dill (or 1 teaspoon dried)

*3 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped (or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried)

*1 garlic clove, minced fine (or 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic)

*1 teaspoon onion, minced (or 1 tablespoon dried onion flaked)

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

*1/2 teaspoon celery seed

Directions:

~Shred 1/2 cup carrots, finely chop 1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely chop 1/2 cup green onions, and place in a mesh strainer (I let them sit for about 1/2 hour to drain as much liquid as I can).  This step is optional 

~In a medium bowl, beat 8 ounce cream cheese and 8 ounce mascarpone cheese together until smooth.

~Mix in 1/4 cup fresh finely chopped parsley, 2 tablespoons fresh dill weed, 3 tablespoons freshly chopped  chives, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon minced onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon celery seed until well incorporated.

~Place into a container and cover with a lid.

~Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving.